Lab-grown diamonds
The HPHT-to-CVD price gap has narrowed
HPHT lab-grown diamonds once priced below CVD stones of the same grade; growers now report the two methods pricing within a point or two of each other.
Imperial Star Gems trade desk1 min read
HPHT and CVD lab-grown stones, once priced apart, are now trading within a point or two of each other at the same grade.
- CVD, the more common growth method for larger colourless stones, has historically priced slightly above HPHT at equivalent colour and clarity.
- As HPHT growers have improved colour consistency at 1 ct and above, the gap between the two methods has closed for most standard sizes.
- HPHT retains a price edge specifically in fancy vivid colours, where its growth process still yields stronger, more even colour.
For a colourless stone, growth method now matters less than the grading report itself — see brilliant cut and grading report for what to check instead. Growth method still matters for fancy colour buyers: ask us which method produced a specific coloured stone before you buy.
Market commentary drawn from publicly available market data and trade reporting, not investment advice. Prices move; figures are indicative and correct as of the date above.